A London-based publishing company has given Conyers Dill & Pearman top marks for its practice of corporate and commercial law in its global survey of law firms.

Chambers and Partners Publishing said CD&P had come in for the highest praise of all the Island's corporate law firms, in its survey of legal professionals for its annual Global Guide of law firms and lawyers in 170 countries around the world.

Chambers 2003 to 2004 report said CD&P had been praised by competitors for its "deep pool of talented lawyers" and for its "sophisticated, international approach".

Underscoring the law firm's international presence, the report said CD&P's corporate team had been praised for its expertise in the areas of securitisation and mutual funds matters handled for Hong Kong-listed companies. Chambers added: "Some perceive that the firm has gained an edge in insurance work from close relationships with leading insurance companies."

Several CD&P lawyers were also cited as the cream of the legal fraternity crop with corporate head John Collis being praised as a strong, dynamic leader", while attorney David Doyle was said to be "always well spoken of" and David Cooke, who's practice encompasses securities, asset financings and corporate restructurings, was cited for his "creativity and legal acumen".

The survey, on a global basis, interviews 6,500 legal professionals. The research is carried out by 30 full-time researchers over a period of 12 months and was said to involve in-depth interviews with clients and lawyers by telephone. Chambers added that the rankings were made on an "objective basis" and that no law firm or lawyers could "buy their way in".

In the survey, law firms and individual lawyers were said to be ranked by respondents on a scale of one to six, with assessments being based on several areas including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. The company said that its research methodology had been approved by the British Market Research Bureau, which audits the research annually.

Ranked second in the survey as the best Bermuda Corporate/Commercial law firm was Appleby Spurling & Kempe, which came in for praise as "an aggressive, hungry firm with a global reach," and was especially noted for its strong international trust and corporate administration departments.

At AS&K, managing director Peter Bubenzer was said to be "an effective, impressive lawyer" by his peers, despite his commitments as head of the firm. David Lines was also named as "a good choice as an up-and-coming name".

Also ranked in the survey were, in ranking order, were Cox Hallet Wilkinson as third place, Hollis & Co for fourth and Mello Jones & Martin in fifth.

Cox Hallet Wilkinson corporate lawyer Ernest Morrison was reported as having a high level of "market support", while two Hollis & Co lawyers were singled out in the report: "Wendell Hollis was strongly recommended by interviewees for the strength of his local expertise in the private client field, whilst the firm's pre-eminent corporate lawyer, Julie Stanton received praise for being an excellent player in her own right."

At Mello Jones & Martin, head of international corporate practice Peter Martin was said to be a "sound, solid lawyer who is able to spot key issues," while Saul Froomkin and Alan Dunch were also cited as the firm's "best lawyers" for their focus on civil and commercial litigation matters.